James M. Jeffords: “I am pleased to support S. 5, the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005. I believe there are problems with our current class…”

“I am pleased to support S. 5, the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005. I believe there are problems with our current class action system that should be addressed through Congressional action. These problems include: Cases and controversies that are national in scope and are currently being decided in State courts; Decisions or settlements that are determined in one State's court system, are being applied nationwide, and conflict with laws in other States; and Plaintiffs receiving little compensation, or in the most extreme example, actually owing money from the settlement of a class action lawsuit. Class action lawsuits serve a useful purpose in our judicial system. Class actions allow individuals to merge a number of similar claims into one lawsuit, which can be an efficient use of judicial resources. Class action lawsuits enable individuals with small claims the ability to seek justice. The legislation we are considering today will fairly determine whether a class action should be considered in a State court or a Federal court. Thus, the legislation will help ensure that issues that are national in scope are heard in federal court, while issues that are local in nature are heard in State courts. The Class Action Fairness Act also provides some common sense reforms and oversight of the class action settlement process.”